Department for Education

Free School Meals

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many pupils would have been entitled to free school meals in 2022 under the previous system of benefits-based eligibility; andhow many pupils will be entitled underthe system of eligibility based on receipt of Universal Credit.

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many pupils will be entitled to free school meals for each year from 2022 to 2030.

lord agnew of oulton: The information requested in not held centrally. The department’s modelling estimates the difference in those eligible and claiming under the new government regulations compared to those eligible and claiming under the previous benefits system. From the modelling, we estimate that by 2022, around 50,000 more children will benefit from free school meals compared to the previous benefits system. The government is committed to reviewing the level of the threshold in order to ensure that the children in need of free school meals the most will continue to receive.

Free School Meals

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children previously ineligible for free school meals will now become eligible as a result of the adoption of the new earnings threshold of £7,400 excluding benefits.

lord agnew of oulton: The department estimates that by 2022, around 50,000 more children will benefit from a free school meal compared to the previous benefits system.

Free School Meals

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether pupils transferring from primary school to secondary school who are currently entitled to free school meals will carry with them a continuing entitlement under the new arrangements; and if that entitlement ceases, how many children will be affected in each year to 2027.

lord agnew of oulton: Pupils eligible for free school meals will retain eligibility when transferring from primary to secondary school under the new system. During the period of Universal Credit (UC) rollout, those who claim free school meals will retain their eligibility even if their income rises above £7,400, because of the protections the government has put in place. At the end of UC rollout, those children who were protected – if they are still in school – will continue to be protected until the end of their phase of education (such as primary or secondary school). The department has not produced forecasts of the number of children receiving free school meals, protected or otherwise, that transition between primary and secondary school.